Boris Johnson

The former health secretary and former chancellor have made themselves the top contenders for the Prime Ministerial race as soon as they resigned on Tuesday night and urged the former PM to step down.

Many had voted for Johnson to deliver Brexit, but were then faced with a prime minister they felt they could not trust.

"I want you to know how sad I am to be giving up the best job in the world," Johnson said in an address to the nation outside 10 Downing Street – the official residence of the British Prime Minister.

The embattled British prime minister rapidly lost favour in the Covid era, with the emergence of scandals like "Partygate".

British newspaper front pages on Wednesday described Johnson’s reign as “on the brink” and “hanging by a thread.” Online betting markets suggest the prime minister will be replaced in 2022, with Paddy Power Plc only paying out £1 ($1.20) for every £10 placed on Johnson’s departure before the end of the year.

Boris Johnson’s time as prime minister was marred by his handling of the coronavirus pandemic and a steady stream of ethics allegations, from alcohol-fueled government parties that broke lockdown rules to how he handled a sexual misconduct scandal involving a senior party lawmaker.

With resignations by British members of Parliament continuing this morning, Boris Johnson’s time as UK Prime Minister comes to an end.

Candidates putting themselves forward for the leadership - and there could be many - must be nominated by two other Conservative lawmakers.

"Boris Johnson will resign as Conservative Party leader today," BBC Political Editor Chris Mason said on Twitter.

"This is not sustainable and it will only get worse, for you, for the Conservative Party and most importantly of all the country," Zahawi said on Twitter after more than 50 ministers and aides resigned from the government.

More than 50 ministers have quit the government in less than 48 hours, saying Johnson was not fit to be in charge after a series of scandals, while dozens in his Conservative Party are in open revolt.

The Indian-origin minister has so far said she has no plans of resigning after Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid made their dramatic exit from the Cabinet, triggering a flurry of ministerial and government aide resignations now adding up to 38.

Michael Gove, UK Secretary of State for Levelling Up, had reportedly told Johnson earlier in the day that it was time for him to quit. Johnson is believed to have called him up from Downing Street to inform him that he is fired from his ministerial post.

According to reports in the media on Wednesday, a number of cabinet members, including the person who was recently named the new finance minister, are likely to request that Prime Minister Boris Johnson resign.

Johnson, 58, appeared at the weekly Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs) in the House of Commons amidst mounting pressure on him to resign

Will Quince, who was sent out to defend No. 10 Downing Street’s appointment of Chris Pincher as Deputy Chief Whip just hours before Johnson admitted his mistake in appointing him to a government job, resigned as an education minister.

Will Quince, minister for children and families, said he had "no choice but to tender my resignation" while junior transport minister Laura Trott said she was quitting over a loss of "trust" in the government.

In his resignation letter, the Indian-origin former UK Chancellor revealed splits on economic policy and hinted that he believed the UK PM's plans to both raise spending and cut tax were unrealistic.

Nadhim Zahawi, 55, inherits an economy that is likely heading for a sharp slowdown or even a recession, and will face immediate pressure to do more to help struggling households and to lower taxes which are on course to hit their highest level in decades.

Rishi Sunak and Sajid Javid resigned in what appeared to be a choreographed release of letters to Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in which both took aim at his ability to run an administration that adhered to standards.